I, Reincarnate as the Leader of the Villainous Knight Order - Chapter 158: The Knight Commander’s Fiancée

Chapter 158: The Knight Commander’s Fiancée  

“Annabella, calm yourself first and explain properly. Otherwise, you’re only going to confuse Knight Commander Vandière.”  

“I… I’m so sorry!”  

Perhaps because I had frozen up, Lady Diane gently scolded Annabella. Annabella then frantically bowed her head in apology.  

“Ah, no, I assume this is because His Majesty has been urging me to marry or at least get engaged soon. You must have been considerate, knowing I don’t have a partner.”  

“”…………””  

When I shared my guess, Lady Diane and Annabella exchanged glances. They fell silent.  

“Ahem. Allow me to explain. While we were off subduing the Evil God, your family, the Vandière Marquisate, received countless marriage proposals. From what I’ve heard, it turned into a full-blown war of interests, entanglements, and factional struggles over who would get to marry you.”  

Ernesto cleared his throat and revealed this unexpected information.

“……….This is news to me.” 

“And Annabella here once swore to serve Diane for life. She offered to become your fiancée—just in name—to buy time. Personally, I think you could just go ahead and marry her.” 

Annabella quickly jumped in, speaking rapidly. 

“Th-this is purely a means to avoid unnecessary trouble! Of course, if you ever wish to marry someone else or break off the engagement, you can say so anytime. Think of it as my way of repaying you for saving Lady Diane from those ruffians.”  

Her explanation made sense. I could see how certain individuals—countesses about to leave the country or noblewomen engaged in taboo love—might view me as a convenient “plaything”. While their families might see me as a means to infiltrate or take over my house.  

“I see……… If you’re okay with this arrangement, Annabella, and if you’d let me know when someone you want to marry comes along, I’d be happy to accept your proposal.”  

“R-really?” 

Annabella’s eyes widened.  

“Yes. Though I feel bad about deceiving your parents, I promise to handle things in a way that won’t bring them shame.”  

I suspected her parents might be pushing her into marriage as well. With me as her fiancé, she’d be spared from those pressures for a while. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.  

“In that case, Annabella would likely move into Vandière’s new residence. As part of the reward for defeating the Evil God, you’ll probably be granted an estate. Having your fiancée maintain your base here will make it clear this is your official residence, even when you’re abroad.”  

“If so, I’d like someone assigned to manage the estate to minimize Annabella’s burden.”

“You’ll probably be summoned again soon. You can make those requests then. Shall I report the engagement to your father? That alone should ease some of his worries.”  

Perhaps even His Majesty had received requests from people hoping to push their daughters onto me. After all, noble marriages required royal approval.  

“As long as Annabella agrees.”  

Annabella nodded firmly. Her expression was a mix of nervousness and resolve.  

“Congratulations, Annabella. Now, why don’t you escort Knight Commander Vandière back to the entrance? Lord Ernest will stay with me until you return.”  

Diane said so with a mischievous wink

Watching Annabella’s bashful smile, I began mentally listing what needed to be done. Greetings to each other’s families, attending social gatherings together to make the engagement believable, gifting her a dress and accessories, and perhaps even adjusting how we address each other.  

“Shall I escort you to the entrance?”  

“Yes. There’s much to discuss. Lady Diane, Lord Ernest, if you’ll excuse me.”  

“Thank you for your efforts.”  

“Take your time.”  

As we left Diane’s room, I glanced at Annabella walking beside me. She kept her head lowered, avoiding eye contact.  

“Annabella.”  

“Eep!”  

Her response was comically flustered, and her face turned bright red.  

“Heh, why are you so nervous? If we’re engaged, you should feel free to act more naturally around me. Call me Justin instead of Vandière. I’ll call you Annabella.”  

“Y-yes… Lord Justin…” 

Unlike a certain Saintess, Annabella continued to use a proper honorific even after I told her it was fine to call me by my name.  

The distance from the royal residence area to the entrance was considerable. For now, as Diane’s maid, Annabella walked alongside me without needing to be formally escorted. We used the time to discuss what lay ahead.  

—

As a result of our conversation, we decided that during the upcoming rest days—which I expected to begin tomorrow—Annabella would also take leave. And I would accompany her to visit her family.  

Although we both hail from noble houses of quite similar rank as counts, I couldn’t help but wonder what her parents might think of me.  

Additionally, just imagining the reactions of the Third Knight Order once they heard about the engagement made my headache.